In December 2014, the Energy Council initiated a Review of Governance Arrangements for the Australian Energy Markets (the Review) to consider the structure, scope and mandate of the three energy market bodies and the role, operation and responsibilities of the Energy Council.

The Review recommended a number of improvements that could be made, most of which the Energy Council accepted in its published response of December 2015. Included in those recommendations were a number of reforms relating to the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC).

To progress these reforms, on Friday 2 June 2017 SCO agreed to the circulation of the Australian Energy Market Commission Establishment (Governance) Amendment Bill 2017 (the Bill).

The Bill makes amendments to the Australian Energy Market Establishment Act 2004 of South Australia (the AEMC Establishment Act). The effect of the Bill is to:

Increase the maximum number of AEMC Commissioners that may be appointed;

Standardise the process of appointment of Commissioners;

Make consequential amendments to the decision-making and quorum requirements of the AEMC.

Consultation

The Senior Committee of Officials of the COAG Energy Council (SCO) invited stakeholders to provide feedback, on the draft Bill.

Submissions closed on Monday 19 June 2017.

UPDATE:

All stakeholder submissions received in response to this consultation process are available below: